Mt. Carmel Senior Living Rezoning Approved Despite Petition from Neighbors

plans to expand its current building on First Capitol Drive in an effort to meet the growing needs of seniors in St. Charles.

The expansion will include a 40-bed addition and recognifgured parking lot, which would provide additional parking spaces for staff and visitors. The facility currently has 110 skilled nursing beds and plans to expand that to a total of 150 beds.

The facility currently employs 149 people and would be adding an additional 40 employees.

In addition, Mount Carmel plans to convert 14 independent living apartments into 30 assisted living units, according to a Certificate of Need application filed with the state. That project would cost $3.6 million.

Chris Brown, executive director, chief operating officer and co-owner of Mount Carmel said the need for assisted living and skilled nursing for seniors is high.

"You're looking at a need with the 65 and older population doubling between now and 2050; the need here is incredible," he said.

on Tuesday approved rezoning five parcels of property owned by Mount Carmel on First Capitol and Jackson Street on Tuesday to Commercial Business District despite concerns raised by neighorhood residents, many of whom filed a petition asking the city to keep the zoning the same.

Brown said the zoning change will help them get the building closer to First Capitol Drive and help with the parking issues. Brown said the business has a working agreement with the nearby which allows Mount Carmel to park in the church's parking lot. He anticipated formalizing the agreement in the next 45 days.

Residents were concerned the change would make parking more difficult in the area by requiring the business to put in fewer parking spaces.

Jim Boshears spoke out at the April 4 City Council meeting and said Mount Carmel has grown from a small community facility to a large institution.

"I ask you to consider, if this entire complex were on your agenda tonight, and htey brought you this entire complex, would it pass?" "The answer is, it couldn't. But because of incremental additions over time, it seems to pass under the radar."

Steve Carbery, who lives on Jackson Street, said he fears the change will push a lot of traffic onto Jackson Street, Seventh Street and Tomkins. He said he was never opposed to the expansion, but wanted to ensure the arrangement for parking with the church was worked out before the zoning change was approved.